B R O A D W A Y***B L U E S H I R T S

http://newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pressreleases.asp?id=2360


PLAYERS, FANS RECALL FAVORITE GARDEN MOMENTS
10/24/2006

Oct. 31 will mark the premiere of what promises to be one of the landmark programs in MSG Network's 37-year history -- "The 50 Greatest Moments at Madison Square Garden." This new, weekly show will highlight the most spectacular events that have taken place at the The Garden, including many involving the New York Rangers.

To help kick off the documentary, MSG Network took over Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 23 for its "MSG 50 Highlight Festival." Rangers legend Adam Graves and current team member Jed Ortmeyer were both part of this special event along with former Knicks star John Starks, Liberty great Teresa Weatherspoon, the Harlem Globetrotters, the Knicks City Dancers, and many others who have shared in the Garden's rich history.

Graves, who remains part of the Rangers through his work with prospects and community efforts, was interviewed on the festival's main stage and later signed autographs for hundreds of fans. Since the theme of the day was great moments, he was naturally eager to share his top memories of MSG.

"My top five moments, numbers one through five, are all June 14, 1994," Graves said of the night the Rangers won their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. "That is every moment, right there, that's all of them! But to be honest, certainly that entire day, coming out for warm-ups and the entire Garden being full chanting "We want the Cup," that's one, lining up for the opening draw, that's two, Sinatra singing, 'New York, New York,] that's three right there. The hair on the back of your neck was standing up with the electricity in the building."

While nothing can touch June 14, 1994, for sheer excitement, Graves' Garden memories go beyond the 1994 championship -- encompassing many other Rangers moments.

"There were certainly a lot of other moments that year (1993-94)," Graves said. "The All-Star Game was played in the Garden that year, and being a part of that. And all the milestones I was fortunate to be a part of, like (Mark) Messier's 500th goal, Mike Gartner's 600th goal. There's a lot of moments and different accomplishments from different guys. Skating alongside Messier, (Mike) Richter, and (Brian) Leetch was a special opportunity and a privilege."

As a Rangers player from 1991 to 2000, Graves said he attended many other events at MSG.

"Madison Square Garden has a special place in my heart, and my family's heart," Graves said. "There are a lot of great memories there. It's a home away from home. It's the people that make it what it is it's the people, that's what's special. It's those bonds that I have been so fortunate enough to make over the years. That's what special to me at The Garden. It's those familiar faces and people that are a huge part of the history of that building and everything that New York represents."

Ortmeyer, who joined the Rangers three years ago, hasn't played at The Garden as long as Graves did, but he already has many memories to cherish.

"The highlight would have to be my first game, my first true experience of The Garden," he said. "I got to play on a line with Messier for about two or three months, so that was very memorable, of course. Messier Night was really nice and special too, and I was fortunate enough to be there when they retired Richter's number, too, so it was a pretty special night and one that I will always remember."

Monday's day-long event at Grand Central featured various interactive games and activities, ranging from a slapshot hockey booth (where Ortmeyer went head-to-head with fans) to lifelike wax figures of Elton John and Marilyn Monroe, on loan from Madame Tussauds New York. Another focal point was a live broadcast by 1050 ESPN Radio's Steven A. Smith.

Few people have been around The Garden as long as MSG's official photographer, George Kalinsky, who was there when the current building opened in 1968. Over the past 40 years, Kalinsky's subjects have included Pope John Paul II, Muhammad Ali and Bill Clinton. Nevertheless, Kalinsky said many of his best memories revolve around the Blueshirts.

“One of the great moments, whether it's the Rangers or Madison Square Garden in general, was when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994," said Kalinsky. "For me to be there and witness the celebration, especially the charisma of Mark Messier holding up the Cup, was an absolute privilege. Seeing them raise the cup was certainly another one of the greatest moments of Stanley Cup history.

"I also enjoyed 1979, when John Davidson almost single-handedly beat the Islanders and brought them to the Finals against the Montreal Canadiens. Watching the Rangers bench jump off the bench after beating the Islanders -- with Nick Fotiu jumping in street clothes -- was also part of what made that a great moment. You put all these moments together and its such a great privilege to be part of such a tradition."

Then, of course, there are always the fans. Thousands of them came through the highlight festival on Monday, and they were all eager to share their fondest hockey memories from MSG.

Several of these moments will be part of the new MSG Network program, which will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m., beginning next week. Much of the footage included in the documentary has never been aired before. For more information on this milestone television event, visit the "MSG 50" official web site at http://www.msg50.com.

NY PJ1 wrote:

New York New York - Ryan Adams

this initself is blasphemy.

how the fuck do they snuff Francis Albert for Ryan Adams

with all due respect to Ryan Adams - but c'mon , its frank . :mad:


and they need the let kasparaitis handle more of the music- aside from sweet caroline in the post game locker-room, he loves pearl jam . Just let him throw on Vs, let it play thru , and carry on !

Prucha needs to get loose. !

He has looked completely in awe of Shanny out there , not shooting the puck !


- _/ Lets Go Rangers ! \_ -

Bathgate66 wrote:

ugh

talk about disappointment.

I know a few seasons ago i was all over Rozsival.

I know I shouldnt let these feelings of negativity creep in,...

but my god

our Defense is horrible. If they keep this up, we'll be lucky to make the post-season. Enough with the blind-sided passes thru the centerice ! Do these guys know about the boards ? ( Probably not since I think i have yet to see a single body check utilizing them this year ....) :rolleyes:





check out these picturs of Malik and Rozsival :
# 8
http://www.specialized.net/ecommerce/shop/images/815X282_pli.jpg


# 3
http://www.specialized.net/ecommerce/shop/images/815X282_pli.jpg

I posted all of this BEFORE seeing todays NY Daily News / NY Post .
:rolleyes:


DEFENSELESS

that headline says it all,.....


and it turns out Jagrs shoulder is nowhere near 100 % .
Maybe they need to sit him out a few games , let that shoulder heal ?

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

karel rachunek - that ship has sailed, he has to go.

word!

send'em

back to the US,
back, to the US
back to the US

back to the USSR !

long red wrote:

careful....before u know it, the isles will leap over you losers! we just got eric bouganici (sp?)...watch out!!!!

haha

DiP- 85 million dollars , 15 years and he's 1-4 now ?
heck, even the old ranger dunham is undefeated- and they keep playing the 15 year man.

hey at least the isles get fireworks in October :rolleyes:


http://www.newyorkislanders.com/a/SO_102306.asp